I can’t begin to write my first impressions of The Crowned Clown’s Episode 1 until I finish tackling the relationship between the King and Queen. I’ve already done the King’s POV, so here’s the Queen’s side.

@agdr03 wrote, “Thanks for making me see that the King does care for the Queen because otherwise he would have harmed her already even on that night he confronted her about the concubine.”

I defended the King’s side hard to shock you into seeing that there’s more to him than just an evil guy, @agdr03. 😂

To me, there’s a weakness in the movie “Masquerade” that I’m hoping this kdrama will address and re-interpret for our 21st century sensibilities. The movie fails to demonstrate why a sane woman would remain married to an insane man. 🤷‍♀️

— By the way, this isn’t a spoiler because it’s history. (@nrllee, I’ll warn you when I’ve spoilers.)

In the history books, the Queen stayed beside the King all their lives and she followed him when he was dethroned and exiled. But in this kdrama adaptation, I expect the writer to tweak the plot of the movie to give us a different view or at least a more nuanced depiction of their union. After all, there are 16 hours to this kdrama or 14 MORE hours than the movie.

So far I’m happy that we’re seeing a deeper side of the Queen. But 🙂 it seems like the viewers might have missed it already so I’m spending time with Episode 1. There are many layers packed and woven together in this one hour show that it deserves a second and or even a third look.

For instance, what do you make of the Queen’s gift to the concubine?

Or the advice of the Gisaeng to the Clown Hasung to perform a skit regarding the Queen and the concubine? She says, “Rather than a king who is a gentleman, playing with Queen and Son HwaDang is more popular among the brothel’s guests. The Queen disposed of the king’s concubines and persecuted them. I heard her wickedness is incomparable to regular women.”

Why does the Gisaeng refer to the King as a “gentleman”? Even if she’s merely being circumspect and cautious to avoid the King’s wrath, that’s still an odd term to describe him when it’s common knowledge that he’s no gentleman for he killed his father and younger brother. (Weren’t those the reasons the assassin cited for their attempted regicide?)

The Clown HaSun barely finishes mimicking the Gisaeng’s words, “Are you saying that the Queen is a terrible and wicked wife?” when the camera shifts to the next scene where the supposedly wicked Queen is hosting the concubine in her room.

She gives her an expensive hair ornament but the concubine doesn’t know what to make of the gift. Sensing her discomfort, the Queen reassures her, “Do not be pressured. I’m giving this to you so that you can assist the king for my sake.” The concubine fake-apologizes, “I’m sorry. You are so considerate like this, but I don’t know why are such rumors that fly about you.” In the background, the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting look annoyed with her snide remarks.

Of course, the viewers naturally interpret the servants’ reaction as displeasure because the concubine is being insolent to the Queen. But I suggest that servants have another reason. To me, not only are they annoyed by the rudeness of the concubine, but they’re also annoyed with the rumor itself because they know the real story behind it. The Queen is innocent.

Queen: Are you talking about the rumor that I persecuted you and delayed you from spending a night with His Majesty?
Concubine: You knew of it?
Queen: They say all rumors are half lies. I’m not too worried about it.

The concubine leaves and reports to her Uncle, the Minister Sin, “You should’ve seen it, Uncle. She’s only the queen for appearance (meaning in name only), but she pretends to be so kind and puts on all sorts of airs. It was too much for just me to see.” The Minister gives her a talisman and warns her that if she fails her mission to have a son with the king, she’ll die.

Then, the next scene we see the Queen walking deep in thought with her Father.

Father: Your Highness, what are you thinking about so deeply?
Queen: Father, when no one is about, at least, couldn’t you talk informally to me like you used to? I’m asking you because it’s so suffocating.
Father: Of course, I’ll do that.
Father: SoWoon, is palace life still hard and uncomfortable?
Queen: (sighing) Since I’m living in the palace, how embarrassing it must be that I have a new habit of missing somewhere that’s not the palace.

The Viki translation is odd so I’ll re-phrase this. I think the Queen means this: since she’s availing of the luxury and amenities of the palace, she’s embarrassed to admit that she’s pining for a life outside its walls. It makes her sound unappreciative…and greedy to want the best of both worlds.

Father: SoWoon, His Majesty won’t be like that forever. He’s someone who used to have the qualities of a good and wise kind, did he not? I’ll do my best to serve His Majesty so hang in there a little bit more.
Queen: (nodding) Yes, Father.

Here, the father assumes that she’s regretting her life with the King. But I think she’s worrying about something more IMMEDIATE, like that evening’s assignation. The King is scheduled to spend that night with the concubine.

And right on cue, the next scene shows the King’s preparation for the night with the concubine. He gets interrupted by his Father-in-law and the Royal Secretary who have come to charge Minister Sin of bribery. Reasonably, the King points out, “I understand your reasons, my Father-in-law, but Sin Chi Soo is a first-class retainer. You know I can’t punish him unless it’s treason.”

But his Father-in-law persists saying, “Your Majesty, the royal court is already filled with SCS’s men and is moving according to his will. Since no one can stop whatever he does, they’re even saying that there are two suns in the sky. (The King is piqued by the mention of “two suns”. Two suns is a metaphor for two rulers, meaning one is the real ruler and another is the imposter trying to claim the throne.) If SCS’s crime isn’t severely punished, the order of this country will collapse and eventually so will your reign.

The King argues again; this time, his patience is wearing thin, “Father-in-law, don’t exaggerate… (FiL protests) Stop! I don’t want to listen! (The King throws the scroll in anger) Do you think there’s even one man who is free of any speck of dust if you shake him? Are you confident that you won’t? (FiL starts to say, “Your Majesty, I am—“) Forget it! I don’t want to hear any excuses.”

This argument sets his mood on his way to his encounter with the concubine. He too is deep in thought like the Queen earlier.

Of course, the audience assumes that he’s mulling over the bribery report AND his Father-in-law’s insistence to get rid of one of his “trusted” men. But I suggest that he’s also worrying about that night with the concubine.

To me, it’s most unfortunate that the King doesn’t know that both his father-in-law and his Queen have been looking after his own interest. His FiL brought him the report on the bribery. Meanwhile, his Queen gave the concubine, ironically enough, a “bribe” earlier that day.

This hair ornament can be considered a bribe. 😂

In my other post, I said, the hair ornament was an offering. I wrote that then Queen was thanking the concubine in advance for being her surrogate and taking her place at the king’s bed. “Better you than me.”

But now, I think she’s also thanking the concubine because SHE expects the concubine to fail. 😉 The hairpiece is some sort of “bribe” or pre-payment for her silence after the event of the whole night.

Did you see it, too?  😀

To me, the reason the Gisaeng describes the King as a “gentleman”

and describes the Queen as so wicked she’s “incomparable to regular women”

is because the Queen has been COVERING UP for the King. She’s taking the blame for the King.

According to the rumors, she’s disposes of the concubines and persecutes them, and the King is a gentleman. Even the concubine believed the gossip and accused the Queen of delaying her “right” to spend the night with the Majesty.

However, the Queen calmly dismisses that the rumors as “half-lies.” Why?

Because it’s true that the concubines are being eliminated and persecuted. But it’s absolutely false that she’s the one booting out the concubines. The King himself kicks them out. Most likely, this isn’t the first time he’s kicked out a concubine from his room. He’s done it before. lol. That’s why the Queen didn’t express surprise that he left the concubine and stormed her palace.

The Queen knows the “whole truth” hence she isn’t “too worried” about the rumors. Her ladies-in-waiting, however, are annoyed at the false rumors painting their Queen in a bad light.

To me, the Queen’s more pressing concern is that the rumor will spread regarding the King’s cruel treatment of the concubines. (Hmmm… it’s not really rumor when it’s true, right? 😂) Her generous gift is to ensure that the dismissed ladies remain silent about their encounter with the King.

And the fact alone that the Gisaeng still thinks the King a “gentleman” is proof that the real truth has been successfully repressed. Aside from the King and Queen, nobody else knows the real thing.

You see, I don’t think the King has shown any interest in the women sent to him as his concubine. Noticed how apathetic he was to the sweet talk of the latest concubine. His face only hardened when the concubine lied that the Queen had given the norigae to her as well as prepared their refreshment. He knew they were lies.

Even when he was dressed by the female attendant, he showed no response. The Clown HaSung couldn’t control his reaction when his tight was touched but the King stood immobile while he was being dressed. He only reacts in a physical way with the Queen.

That’s why his words, “Those fools must think that I’m the one rejecting you. Who would know that you’re the one rejecting me?” is revealing.

Everybody thinks that the Queen is pathetic that even the clowns are parodying her plight in their bawdy performance.

But the truth is, the King is more pathetic. Why? For one, he thinks he’s being rejected. And for another, he doesn’t see how loyal the Queen is to him.